Two Lorain drug busts net five arrests

Five people were arrested as the result of two narcotics warrants being served in recent weeks in Lorain.

According to Lorain narcotics Detective Chris Colon, the first warrant was served Sept. 12 at a home in the 1800 block of East 30th Street and netted the arrest of Cedric Walton, 23, of Lorain; Liyah Maldonado, 22, of Lorain; and Antwan Gilbert, 24, of Lorain.

During the police investigation, which began in early September, it was uncovered the residence was being used to sell drugs on a daily basis, police said.

“This investigation started basically early September with a tip from a citizen in Lorain. We initiated an investigation and were advised that both Walton and Maldonado were selling drugs out of East 30th St.,” Colon said.

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Colon said after conducting surveillance on the residence as part of the investigation police observed drug activity taking place on a daily basis, prompting investigators to seek a search warrant.

When the search warrant was executed on Sept. 12 officers moved in when they observed Walton leave the residence when Gilbert showed up at the house.

“We believe Antwan Gilbert showed up to basically sell Cedric Walton drugs,” Colon said. “So we actually caught them right in the middle of a deal.”

According to the investigation, Gilbert was in possession of 1.5 grams of cocaine and fentanyl and was carrying more than $500 at the time of his arrest. Walton was in possession of more than $1,000 in cash and officers found 1.5 grams of cocaine and fentanyl inside of his vehicle.

All three suspects were charged with trafficking drugs.

Walton is also charged with possession of cocaine and fentanyl and Maldonado was charged with possession of marijuana.

The suspects are being held at the Lorain County Jail.

A second search warrant was executed on Sept. 21 at an apartment in the 2600 block of Sycamore Drive which resulted in the arrests of Jesse Kimbro, 56 and Phillip Atkinson, 33.

Colon said the apartment was being used as a “trap house” where people were transporting drugs into the residence with the intention to sell.

“It is a fairly nice area so when suspicious activity takes place it is fairly noticeable,” Colon said.

After executing the search warrant officers said they uncovered about 60 grams of cocaine and 120 grams of marijuana valued at about $6,500. Most of the drugs had already been packaged for sale. In addition, officers also recovered ammunition and numerous criminal tools indicative of drug trafficking.

Both Kimbro and Atkinson are charged with trafficking and possession of marijuana and cocaine, and possession of criminal tools. Atkinson is being held at the Lorain City Jail and Kimbro was transported to the Lorain County Jail.